Ryan Seacrest’s opening monologue on American Idol concerned rising stakes and building pressure. Though these Top 9 are safely on the summer tour, they are not safe on the show by any means. One of them will be eliminated this week. One of them will win the coveted reality title. And, if they’re very lucky, some of them might become stars.

Sure, there’s plenty of pressure.

Seacrest asked Randy Jackson for his thoughts on the Top 9. “The competition’s just getting tougher, dude,” the judge offered. Kara DioGuardi defined her concept of artistry next: “I think artistry is taking those songs that you’ve heard a million times, and doing it in a way that’s unique.” DioGuardi used the word several times during performances last week.

The theme for the week was iTunes, making it a veritable free-for-all and a clever sponsor plug. Good one, Idol.

I’m just being sarcastic. It’s not much of a theme at all, but you don’t need me to tell you that.

Anoop Desai started the evening off with an Usher joint. He joined the stage with a veritable posse of singers and looked just great, but I wasn’t astounded by his vocals right away. Anoop has a whole lot going for him, however, and his showmanship was in full effect for the front of the episode. He’ll do a lot in the music world when Idol is no longer crampin’ his style. “The vocals were really, really good,” Randy Jackson offered, though he admitted he didn’t much care for the song choice. “You kinda just played it safe,” Kara DioGuardi criticized, comparing him to a frat boy who’s been dared into singing the tune. Paula Abdul likes seeing Desai’s “playful” side. “I just thought it was a complete and utter mess, if you want my honest opinion,” Simon Cowell fired out, calling Desai a “wannabe.” “The arrangement was a mess - it actually gave me a headache,” Cowell added. Desai was not so pleased with all the criticism.

Megan Joy was next with Bob Marley’s “Turn Your Lights Down Low.” The pretty blonde suffered serious criticism last week, and came to the stage ready to rock the house this week. I shouldn’t have to struggle so hard to find anything redeeming about her vocals. Her sound is somewhat bluesy, I guess, and certainly it’s her own. Is it marketable? No - but the face certainly is. So, turn your volume down low and play something else while you watch Megan. It’s really the only way to get through one of her performances. “I really like you, but I think you’re in trouble,” Kara DioGuardi frowned. “It’s just not the song choice for you.” Paula Abdul wanted her to “take us by surprise.” Simon Cowell diagnosed the problem. “The song was boring, it was indulgent, it was monotonous. And all the things we liked about you are disappearing.” Randy Jackson also thought it was boring. “You can love a song, but that doesn’t mean you can sing it great,” he told her. Joy smiled away their words with a plea for votes from her fans.

Danny Gokey chose a Rascal Flatts song for the evening. The tune, “What Hurts the Most,” brings Gokey back to the sad-eyed crooner the audience first met. The sweet song showcased Gokey’s exceptional vocals, though he seemed to lose it a little in the chorus. Danny really delivered the tune toward the end, driving the studio audience wild. “This is where you thrive,” Paula Abdul smiled at him. “You leave me wanting more,” she added. “I thought it was your best performance,” Simon Cowell delivered very high praise. He compared Gokey with the first two singers of the night: “two snails and a race horse.” Randy Jackson loved it, but offered some advice: “take the mic off the stand and rock it!” “You moved everyone in this room emotionally,” Kara DioGuardi threw in her opinion.

Allison Iraheta sang with her guitar for the first time in the competition. She chose No Doubt’s “Don’t Speak,” an absolutely perfect song for her. From beginning to end, as usual, Allison’s performance was perfect. She’s just sensational. Randy Jackson loved everything…but “what are you wearing? What is with this outfit?” She did look pretty weird. “The rock in you comes out of you, no matter what you’re wearing,” Kara DioGuardi advised, saying the outfit felt “distracting” and “forced.” Paula Abdul admired Iraheta’s “vocal prowess,” predicting that she will make it all the way to the finals. “It was like something out of the Addam’s Family,” Simon Cowell also frowned on the outfit. He again called Iraheta “precocious.” He added that she “shouted the song.” Ryan Seacrest wasn’t buying it. “Let’s give the numbers out; I think you might be in good shape.”

Scott MacIntyre chose “Just the Way You Are” from Billy Joel. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - if you’re going to do Joel, do “Only the Good Die Young” or “Piano Man.” That’s it. But I digress. MacIntyre was behind his piano again for the tune, a soft and sweet number that failed to grab my attention. There’s no faulting Scott’s vocals, however. I’m still amazed by the sound of this guy. “I think you made some very smart decisions tonight,” Kara DioGuardi was pleased. “I’m most proud of you,” Paula Abdul told him. “Your best performance, by a country mile, so far,” Simon Cowell even found a smile. As per usual, Cowell and Abdul started to bicker amongst themselves. “One of the best of the night, Scotty!” Randy Jackson shouted over them.

Matt Giraud is pleased that he dodged elimination last week. For this important second chance, he chose “You Found Me” by The Fray. He appeared in the middle of the crowd on a keyboard, swallowing lyrics and wearing a very weird jacket. Much as I don’t like him, however, he can sing. In fact, he can sing up a whole storm when he wants to, and he’s obviously making a strong attempt to work on both this and his showmanship. When he hit his falsetto, even my eyes went wide. “I feel like you aborted the things that we love most about you,” Paula Abdul stumbled through her critique, calling the number a “soundalike” performance. “We don’t like you this week,” Simon Cowell stated, calling the performance “very put-on” and “uptight.” “This was just uncomfortable,” he said. Randy Jackson thought it was “just the wrong song.” Kara DioGuardi feels that Giraud is waffling between R&B and rock. Either way, she put it out there: “you’re a talented guy, and I don’t think you should be sent home.”

Lil Rounds followed him to the stage with “I Surrender.” Wearing a lovely blue gown and looking very put-together, Rounds was very much the diva this week. She displayed amazingly powerful vocals and sounded perfectly in pitch. It was, in short, a great performance. “This would not have been my song choice,” Randy Jackson admitted, but added, “you sang it really, really well.” Kara DioGuardi was impressed with Lil’s “unbelievable” vocals. Simon Cowell thought she chose a “safe song,” and “found it quite similar to a wedding performance.” Seacrest scored some votes for Lil by showing off her adorable kids, even putting one in the arms of Randy Jackson. It brought Rounds to tears.

Adam Lambert chose “Play that Funky Music,” which is a pretty difficult song choice. He arrived on stage to psychedelic lighting effects, sounding and looking very smooth indeed. His look was a strange absence of style, but his vocals were good enough. A little over-kill, but what do you expect from Lambert? He’s convinced that he has the moves and the chops to win the whole thing. Whether that’s true still remains to be seen - but his finishing note was so carried away, I thought it might never be done. Paula Abdul seemed bowled over, and I hated her red dress. “True genius does not fulfill expectations; true genius shatters it.” She named a few names: “Mick Jagger, Steven Tyler and Adam Lambert.” Simon Cowell thought it was “very brave.” “It was original,” Cowell complimented. “You worked it out. You were definitely in the star zone, baby,” Randy Jackson told him. Adam Lambert took the time to compliment the band, who gave him “a great arrangement.” Kara DioGuardi admitted that she can’t wait to see what he’s going to do next. “It was like Studio 57 up in here!”

I’m not real clear on the Studio 57 reference. This could be Studio 57 productions, a company that’s largely based online. She might have been referring to Studio 57 Salon, found in New Jersey. Or, she might have been alluding to the TV show by the same name, which ran in the 1950s. It is also possible DioGuardi made a mistake and was, in fact, referring to Studio 54, the famed New York club once frequented by celebs like Mick Jagger, Truman Capote, James Brown and Alice Cooper. Honestly, half the time I have no idea what DioGuardi’s spouting about anyway. Loved her during the auditions. Hate her on the panel.

Kris Allen was the last performer of the night, with “Ain’t No Sunshine.” This week, Allen has opted for the piano in lieu of his usual guitar. With the lights turned low, Kris Allen began to play softly and croon about love - just what the girls want. Even when the performance picked up, however, I was never blown away. He also still makes weird faces when he sings. “You are so in the zone right now,” Randy Jackson found. “That is artistry!” Kara DioGuardi was pumped up by the performance. “That could be a first cut from your album,” Paula Abdul cried. “That was a very, very good arrangement of the song,” Simon Cowell told him, adding “it’s your best performance so far.” With that kind of praise and the cushy end position, Allen is sitting pretty for tomorrow night’s results show.

(You can find all the American Idol 8 posts here.)